Aeroelasticity

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Aeroelasticity is the science which studies the interactions among inertial, elastic,
and aerodynamic forces. It was defined by Arthur Collar in 1947 as "the study of the mutual
interaction that takes place within the triangle of the inertial, elastic, and aerodynamic forces
acting on structural members exposed to an airstream, and the influence of this study on
design."[citation needed] In more simple terms, it is the same set of conditions causing a flag to
flutter in a stiff breeze or a reed to tremble in fast-flowing water. Flutter may occur in
any fluid medium.
Contents
[hide]

1 Introduction
2 Steady aeroelasticity

2.1 Divergence

2.2 Control surface reversal

3 Dynamic aeroelasticity

3.1 Flutter

3.2 Dynamic response

3.3 Buffeting
4 Other fields of study
5 Prediction and cure
6 Media
7 See also

8 References
9 Further reading
10 External links

[edit]Introduction

Airplane structures are not completely rigid, and aeroelastic phenomena arise when
structural deformations induce changes on aerodynamic forces. The additional aerodynamic
forces cause an increase in the structural deformations, which leads to greater aerodynamic
forces in afeedback process. These interactions may become smaller until a condition of
equilibrium is reached, or may diverge catastrophically ifresonance occurs.
Aeroelasticity can be divided in two fields of study: steady (static)
and dynamic aeroelasticity.
[edit]Steady

aeroelasticity

Steady aeroelasticity studies the interaction between aerodynamic and elastic forces on an
elastic structure. Mass properties are not significant in the calculations of this type of
phenomena.
[edit]Divergence

Divergence occurs when a lifting surface deflects under aerodynamic load so as to increase
the applied load, or move the load so that the twisting effect on the structure is increased.
The increased load deflects the structure further, which brings the structure to the limit loads
and to failure.
[edit]Control

surface reversal

Main article: Control reversal

Control surface reversal is the loss (or reversal) of the expected response of a control
surface, due to structural deformation of the main lifting surface.
[edit]Dynamic

aeroelasticity

Dynamic Aeroelasticity studies the interactions among aerodynamic, elastic, and inertial
forces. Examples of dynamic aeroelastic phenomena are:
[edit]Flutter

Flutter is a self-feeding and potentially destructive vibration where aerodynamic forces on

an object couple with a structure's natural mode ofvibration to produce rapid periodic
motion. Flutter can occur in any object within a strong fluid flow, under the conditions that
a positive feedback occurs between the structure's natural vibration and the aerodynamic
forces. That is, the vibrational movement of the object increases an aerodynamic load,
which in turn drives the object to move further. If the energy input by the aerodynamic
excitation in a cycle is larger than that dissipated by the damping in the system, the
amplitude of vibration will increase, resulting in self-exciting oscillation. The amplitude can
thus build up and is only limited when the energy dissipated by aerodynamic and
mechanical damping matches the energy input, which can result in large amplitude vibration
and potentially lead to rapid failure. Because of this, structures exposed to aerodynamic
forces including wings and aerofoils, but also chimneys and bridges are designed
carefully within known parameters to avoid flutter. In complex structures where both the
aerodynamics and the mechanical properties of the structure are not fully understood, flutter
can only be discounted through detailed testing. Even changing the mass distribution of an
aircraft or the stiffness of one component can induce flutter in an apparently unrelated
aerodynamic component. At its mildest this can appear as a "buzz" in the aircraft structure,
but at its most violent it can develop uncontrollably with great speed and cause serious
damage to or lead to the destruction of the aircraft, [1] as in Braniff Flight 542.
In some cases, automatic control systems have been demonstrated to help prevent or limit
flutter-related structural vibration.[citation needed]
Flutter can also occur on structures other than aircraft. One famous example of flutter
phenomena is the collapse of the original Tacoma Narrows Bridge. Another is a particular
playground swing in Firmat which "swings itself" with such force that it leads many to
believe it is haunted.
Flutter as a controlled aerodynamic instability phenomenon is used intentionally and
positively in wind mills for generating electricity and in other works like making musical
tones on ground-mounted devices, as well as on musical kites. Flutter is not always a
destructive force; recent progress has been made in small scale (table top) wind generators
for underserved communities in developing countries, designed specifically to take
advantage of this effect.[2][3] Peter Allan Sharp (of Oakland, California) and Jonathan Hare
(of University of Sussex) demonstrated, in March 2007, a linear generator run by two flutter
wings.[4] The wind-energy industry distinguish between flutter wings, flip wings, and
oscillating tensionally-held sweeping membrane wings for wind milling. [5]

[edit]Dynamic

response

Dynamic response or forced response is the response of an object to changes in a fluid

flow such as aircraft to gusts and other external atmospheric disturbances. Forced response
is a concern in axial compressor and gas turbine design, where one set of aerofoils pass
through the wakes of the aerofoils upstream.
[edit]Buffeting

Buffeting is a high-frequency instability, caused by airflow separation or shock wave

oscillations from one object striking another. It is caused by a sudden impulse of load
increasing. It is a random forced vibration. Generally it affects the tail unit of the aircraft
structure due to air flow down stream of the wing.
[edit]Other

fields of study

Other fields of physics may have an influence on aeroelastic phenomena. For example, in
aerospace vehicles, stress induced by high temperatures is important. This leads to the
study of aerothermoelasticity. Or, in other situations, the dynamics of the control
system may affect aeroelastic phenomena. This is called aeroservoelasticity.
[edit]Prediction

and cure

Aeroelasticity involves not just the external aerodynamic loads and the way they change but
also the structural, damping and mass characteristics of the aircraft. Prediction involves
making a mathematical model of the aircraft as a series of masses connected by springs
and dampers which are tuned to represent the dynamic characteristics of the aircraft
structure. The model also includes details of applied aerodynamic forces and how they vary.
The model can be used to predict the flutter margin and, if necessary, test fixes to potential
problems. Small carefully chosen changes to mass distribution and local structural stiffness
can be very effective in solving aeroelastic problems.
[edit]